Varifocal lens systems

ABSTRACT

This varifocal lens system or so-called zoom lens system has four groups of lenses of which the second group of lenses is constructed as 3 components and 4 lenses and defined by the following six conditions, i.e.

United Stati Fujii [451 Mar. 12, 1974 VARIFOCAL LENS SYSTEMS [75] inventor: Toru Fujli, Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Limited,

Tokyo, Japan 22 Filed: Apr. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 248,537

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary Examiner.lohn K. Corbin Attorney, Agent, or FirmWaters, Roditi, Schwartz &

Nissen [57] ABSTRACT This varifocal lens system or so-called zoom lens system has four groups of lenses of which the second group of lenses is constructed as 3 components and 4 lenses and defined by the following six conditions, i.e.

i Q (l) If l ml w where r (i==l 2, are radii of curvatures of the surfaces of the successive lenses from the front face of the first lens and inclusive of the surface in contact between the first and second lenses of the second group of lenses, n (i=1, 2, are axial center thicknesses of or air spaces between the successive lenses of the second group of lenses, u (i=1, 2,- are Abbes numbers of the successive lenses of the second group of lenses and f is a composite focal length of the second group of lenses.

This second group of lenses defined as above described is combined with the fourth group of lenses which is constructed as three groups of lenses and defined by the following six conditions, i.e.

for/fun where f,, is a composite focal length of the fourth group of lenses L,,, f is a focal length of the front group of lenses Lop, n and n are refractive indexes of the front positive lens and back negative lens of the middle group of lenses L respectively, f and f are focal lengths of the front positive lens and back negative lens of the back group of lenses L respectively, 2 is an air space between the front positive lens and the back negative lens of the back group of lenses L r is a radius of curvature of the surface facing the air space of the front positive lens of the back group of lenses L and P is a Petzval sum of the fourth group of lenses as a whole.

4 Claims, 38 Drawing Figures Pmimannmm 3.796L481 sum 1 ur a I Fig. 2

LA a 0 0;- am L99 VARIFOCAL LENS SYSTEMS This invention relates to varifocal lens systems or socalled zoom lens systems in which a part or all of the optical systems is or are moved in a direction of the optical axis to vary the focal length of the total lens system, and particularly to a so-called mechanically correctable type zoom lens comprising a varifocal optical system and a prime optical system, the varifocal optical system consisting of a first group of lenses having a positive refractive power, second group of lenses having a negative refractive power and third group of lenses having a positive refractive power, the prime optical system consisting of a fourth group of lenses having a positive refractive power and the change in position of the final image produced by the movement in a direction of the optical axis of the second group of lenses being adapted to be corrected by the reciprocal movement of the third group of lenses.

In such kind of varifocal lens systems, the variation of the composite focal length thereof is mainly resulted from the movement of the second group of lenses. Thus, the second group of lenses plays an important role in correcting abberations.

In general, it is important for varifocal lens systems and more particularly for a zoom lens system for use in 35 mm still camera to shorten the total length of the zoom lens system inclusive of its back focus. But, various difficult problems have been encountered with the optical design of shortening the total length of the zoom lens system. It might be considered to shorten the length of the varifocal optical system or to make a telephoto ratio (a ratio of the total length of a lense system to a composite focal length of the lens system) of the fourth group of lenses constituting the prime optical system small, so that the total length of the zoom lens system could be shortened. But, if the condition that the effective diameter of the front lens of the fourth group of lenses should not be excessively large is taken into consideration, the pupil for the fourth group of lenses has often to be unsymmetrically located with respect to the arrangement of lenses. Moreover, if the I second group of lenses of the varifocal optical system under the condition that the zoom ratio is constant. But, if the focal length of the second group of lenses of the varifocal optical system becomes shortened, it becomes very difiicult to balance the aberrations resulted from zooming.

An object of the invention, by adopting novel second group of lenses which has hitherto not been proposed, is to provide a varifocal lens system which is compact in construction. short in total length and is capable of reliably varying the focal length of the total lens system with substantially no influence upon the aberrations.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a varifocal lens system comprising second group of lenses constructed as 3 components and 4 lenses and consisting of a first biconcave negative lens, a second biconvex posit ive lens, a third negative lens anrTifourth nega twe lens, said first and second lenses being combined together to form a composite lens having a positive refractive power, said third negative lens having at itsimage side a deep concave surface, said fourth negative lens having at its object side a deep concave surface, said third and fourth lenses being arranged such that their deep concave surfaces stand opposite each other with an air space therebetween, and said second group of lenses being defined by the following six conditions, i.e.

lfal ("as i un/ lfal n y-n where r, (i=1, 2, are radii of curvatures of the surfaces of the successive lenses from the front face of the first lens and inclusive of the surface in contact between the first and second lenses of the second group of lenses, d ('Fl, 2, are axial center thicknesses of or air spaces between the successive lenses of the second group of lenses, v (i==l 2, are Abbe's numbers of the successive lenses of the second group of lenses, and f is a composite focal length of the second group of lenses.

Various further and more specific objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from the description given below, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating by way of example preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows in cross-section a construction of a varifocal lens system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is the same as FIG. 1 but for a modified form;

FIGS. 3a to 3i show aberration characteristic curves of one embodiment of the'invention;

FIGS. 4a to 4i show aberration characteristic curves of another embodiment of the invention; 7

FIGS. 5a to 5i show aberration characteristic curves of a further embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 6a to 6i show aberration characteristic curves of a still further embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1 showing a construction of a varifocal lens system according to the invention, in which I designates a varifocal optical system and II a prime optical lens system. The varifocal optical system I consists of a first group of lenses L having a' positive refractive power, second group of lenses L 'having a negative refractive power and third group of lenses L having a positive refractive power. The prime optical system II consists of a fourth group of lenses L having a positive refractive power. The fourth group of lenses L comprises a front group of lenses L consisting of a single lens (FIG. I) or two independent lenses (FIG. 2), a middle group of lenses L consisting of a front back negative lens.

The second group of lenses L ismoved in a direction of the optical axis as shown by an arrow to vary the focal length. The change in position of the final image produced by the movement of the second group of lenses L is corrected by reciprocating the third group of lenses L as shown by a curved arrow.

in accordance with the invention, the second group of lenses L is constructed as 3 components and 4 lenses L L L L The first lens L is made as a biconcave negative lens, and the second lens Lgg as biconvex positive lens. These first and second lenses L and L are combined together to form a composite lens having a positive refractive power. The third lens L is made as a negative lens that has at its image side a deep concave surface and the fourth lens L is made as a negative lens that has at its object side a deep concave surface. These third and fourth lenses L, and L,

are so arranged that their deep concave surfaces stand opposite each other with an air space therebetween. All

lenses L L L L of the second group of lenses L are arranged in succession from the side of an object (not shown) and are defined by the following six conditions, i.e.

lU/ aa) 54) l /lfal) where r (i=1, 2, are radii of curvatures of the surfaces of the successive lenses L L L L from the front surface of the first lens L and inclusive of the surface in contact between the first and second lenses L and L,,,, n, (i=1, 2, are axial center thicknesses of or air spaces between the successive lenses L L L L 11,, (i=1, 2, are Abbes numbers of the successive lenses L L L L and f, is a composite focal length of the second group of lenses L Heretofore, it has been proposed to construct the above mentioned second group of lenses L by 2 groups and three lenses. Such conventional second group of lenses comprises a first composite lens consisting of a front convex lens and a back concave lens and having a negative refractive power, the back concave lens having its image side a deep concave surface, and a second concave lens that has its object side a deep concave surface arranged in opposition to the deep concave surface of the back concave lens of the first composite lens. The deep concave surface of this second concave lens serves to correct the. spherical aberration, but produces the coma which is difficult to be corrected by ni'firgi composite lens when the pictTiE angle becomes large. Such difficulty may be obviated by introducing an air space between the surface in contact of the first composite lens and by increasing the positive refractive power of the back surface of the front convex lens of the first composite.lens. These measures are effective to suitably balance the aberraflO tions, but have the disadvantage that the front convex lens of the first composite lens must be made of a glass of which dispersion is large in order to stabilize the chromatic aberration'near axis throughout the varifocal optical system and that the above mentioned introduction of the air space tends to produce the chromatic coma flare out of axis, particularly, at the wide end of the picture angle.

With the varifocal lens system according to the invention, the biconcave negative lens L is made in contact with the front surface of the biconvex positive lens L, such that the chromatic coma produced by the biconvex positive lens L acts in a direction opposite to the chromatic coma produced by the biconcave negative lens L to eliminate it. In this case, it is preferable to make the positive refractive power at the front surface of the biconvex positive lens L weak.

The invention is based on such recognition and the second group of lenses L is constructed as 3 components and 4 lenses L L L L and defined by the above mentioned six conditions and provides a varifocal lens system which is compact in construction, short in total length and is capable of reliably varying the focal length of the total lens system with substantially no influence upon the aberrations.

Now, the reasons why the varifocal lens system according to the invention should be defined by the above mentioned six conditions will be explained.

The condition (1) that r 0 is effective to correct the coma at the wide end of the large picture angle.

" l r l defined by the condition (2) that 2.0|f,,| Ir,

together with the deep concave surfaces r r of the third and fourth lenses L L, defined by the condition (4) suitably balance the coma produced at the back surface r of the second lens L in the condition (2), if lr l is considerably smaller than 2| f l, the negative action of the front surface r of the first lens L becomes so excessive that it becomes difficult to maintain the above mentioned balance of coma. At the same time, the condition (2) is associated with the correction of the distortion at relatively short focal length such that if r is excessively small the negative distortion at the wide end of the picture angle becomes increased. The spherical aberration may be made small by satisfying the conditions (3) and (5). The condition (4) is capable of making the variation of the spherical aberration small. Moreover, the conditions (2), (3) and (6) serve to make the chromatic coma flare small. The condition (5) effectively balances the astigmatism at each varifocal position.

. The use of the second group of lenses Lg constructed and defined as above described provides a varifocal lens system which is capable of shortening the focal length f, of the second group of lenses L with substantially no influence upon the aberrations.

The first group of lenses L may be constructed as one group and two lenses combined together to form a composite lens or may be constructed as two components and three lenses inclusive of a composite lens by takin g t he picture angle, zoom ratio, etc. into consideration. The spherical aberration and chromatic aberraare used.

The third group of lenses L has not a particularly high zoom ratio and the change in the chromatic aberration is out of the problem and hence the third group n of lenses L may be constructed as' a single lens, doublet lens, etc. The third group of lenses L may be thin in thickness without degrading the utility of the varifocal lens system according to the invention with respect to the correction of aberrations.

The front positive lens and back negative lens of the middle group of lenses L having such refractive indexes as defined by the above .condition may be brought into contact or may be separated one from the In accordance with the invention, the varifocal opti- 5 other with an air space therebetween. The positive and cal system I constructed as above described is comnegative lenses f the back group f lenses LOB f the bined with a fourth group of lenses 0 to p Vari' prime optical system II is constructed such that the un- OUS types of varifocal lens syslemst It is Preferable to symmetry of coma out of axis is eliminated and that the use a fourth group of lenses n having a small telephoto composite refractive power of both lenses is defined by ratio for the purpose of shortening the total length of 10 h di i that the varifocal lens system. But, the telephoto ratio should be limited to a value which does not signififna1 /fmaz)/ /fvl Q8 cantly degrade the coma out of axis. The Petzval sum where f and f are f l l h f h f m i. of the fourth group of lenses 0 Should Preferably be tive and back negative lenses of the back group of larger than 0.4 for the purpose of correcting the curval5 lenses LDB, respectively The positive and negative ture of the image surface produced by the varifocal optical systems I. The reason for this is as follows. The Petzval sum of the varifocal optical system I is always given by a large negative value in order to correct the chromatic aberration at near axis. If the Petzval sum of the fourth group of lenses L becomes smaller than 0.4, the flat image produced by the varifocal lens system as a whole becomes degraded. Conversely, if the Petzval sum of the prime optical system II becomes larger than 1.0, it becomes more difficult to correct the sagittal image surface. Thus, in accordance with the invention, the Petzval sum ZP of the fourth group of lenses L is defined by 0.4Z-P 1.0.

The front group of lenses L ofthe prime optical system II consists ofa single lens (FIG. 1) or two independent lenses (FIG. 2). The composite focal lengthf of the front group of lenses L plays an important role of decreasing the telephoto ratio of the prime optical system II. In order to decrease this telephoto ratio, the following condition must be satisfied where f,, is the composite focal length of the prime optical system II. The composite focal length f of the front group of lenses L defined as described above makes the negative spherical aberration and chromatic coma produced by the front group of lenses L large.

Thus, it is necessary to eliminate such negative spherical aberration and chromatic coma by the strong concave action of the middle group of lenses L This strong concave action of the middle group of lenses L is obtained by the refractive index n of the front positive lens and the refractive index n of the back negative lens of the middle group of lenses L as defined by the condition that 0.1 ri -ri 0.3.

lenses of the back group of lenses L constructed as above described is effective to make the telephoto ratio of the. fourth group of lenses L small and to define the Petzval sum P by the condition that 0.4 P 1.0. In the condition that l f!mi /f0n2)/ /f 0.8,

if the left side becomes larger than 0.8 the back group -of lenses L produces the unsymmetry of coma. This unsymmetry of coma can be eliminated by the radius of curvature r of the front positive lens facing the air space of the back group of lenses L as defined by This condition is capable of effectively eliminating the sagittal coma out of axis. If -r is smaller than 0.2f

the above eliminating action becomes excessive, and as a result, the unsymmetry of coma is produced. If -r,,, is larger than 0.4f the above eliminating action becomes less effective.

The air space t between the positive and negative lenses of the back group of lenses L is defined by The air space t as defined aboveserves to strengthen the action of r and effectively balances the chromatic coma. If t is larger than 0.3f it is difficult to correct the astigmatism out of axis.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1 A varifocal lens system of the present example is constructed as shown in FIG. 1.

The present embodiment is defined by the values as mentioned in the following Table.

l=76.5 mm.-153 nun., F/4

In the above Table, f f f and f,, are composite #175 3 2086-26433 I focal lengths of the first, second, third and fourth 62 d 7 I groups oflerises L L L and L respectively; r r ni== 3-l75 '14s; ar 52 'm; ar '02, ea; and "Div '02 "09 F296 -80.74 are radii of curvatures of the lenses as numbered suc- 5 cessively from an object side; d d d d,,,, d fF34-432 P4144535 a d a a and a d are axial thick- F3938 nesses of or air spaces between the lenses as numbered d =5.26 successively from the object side: n n n mat-35068 d 43 n n n and n n, n are refractive indexes l0 r|| =626.88 of the lenses as numbered successively from the object I884 07 2537M024 side; and v vi v 113,, V P and 11 v d a i ,=i.i3 are Abbes numbers. [i145 "1 "T d-,=-3.9s The various aberration characteristic curves of the Te -105.44

s present embodiment are shown in FIGS. 3a to 31 in P24 398 which FIGS. 3a to 3c show the spherical aberrations at F76.5mm, 108. 1 8mm and 153mm, respectively, FIGS. d 3d to 3fthe astigmatisms atj- 76.5mm, 108.18mm and l53mm, respectively, and FIGS. 3g to 31' the distortions 2o 58 3 na= -l I at f-=76.5mm, 108.18mm and 153mm, respectively. l 4 d V f =95.3 ',M=- 56 853 D EXAMPLE 2 r i=5? 497 82838 n A varifocal lens system of the present example is also 3 d r,,,.= 0.9 constructed as shown in FIG, 1. L dpfms 9. The present embodiment is defined by the values as 2 94 (FLU mentioned in the following Table. r =637.36l

I l=80'mm.-160 mm-. F/4

1' =BL48 d i=4.3 nAi=1.51633 Ami-6415 FERRY? d:2=0.2 =105-414 I'A3=78-707 dA1=2-0 HAz=L74077 IMF-27.79 IA4=46.332 dAt=6.4 HA:=1.5182I. VAFIM-OQ rii=i,045.039 dA5=2.786-28-255 rni=188.39 niai=L618 uni-63.38 rm=150.323 nBz=L78472 vm=25.71 rm=82.27 r,,=-36.oi0 rai=253.477 nm=l.5725 VB3=57-65 t55=40.94l riia= 34.967 nm=1.618 vm=63.38 1'51=1,479.481 rci=92.52 {nc =1.74077 ci=27.79 Ic=92.837 rc:=37.984 ncz=1.6223 vcz=53.2

rca=-104.14 rDi=26.038 HD|=1.151633 vm=64.15 ID2= D rna=25.812 rmz=1.51009 mz=63-63 rD=99.674 rpm-67.691 l'lm=1.744 vm=44.78 rD5=is.129 lnu=61.368 rim=L60342 vm=38.01

1n7=33.881 rm=32.92 dDg=1-5 Ilm=L66998 m5=39.32 rm=560.l5

The various aberration characteristic curves of the "AFL5633 "F6415 i.,, n =l.74077 v,,=27.79 present embodiment are shown in FIGS. 4a to 41 in 50 n 1.5182l est); which FIGS. 4a to 4c show the spherical aberrations at n,,,l.6l8 I ri -63.32 Fil y i i aasilfi i mt ssasqt l silis-ie L, F we to 4fthe astigmatisms atf=80mm, 113mm and l60mm, i "mfg-g; respectively, and FIGS. 4g to 4i the distortions at f=80mm, 1 13mm and 160mm, respectively. L "(F2779 P rans ,=53.2 EXAMPLE 3 ri =l.5l0O9 v =63.63 n =i .50043 u,,,=65.99 A varifocal lens system of the present example is also o M i-Z33 z gg-g n constructed as shown in FIG. 1. V ,,Z;=

The present embodiment is defined by the values as mentioned in the following Table.

f=76.5mi'n-l53mm, F/4 V r,,=7s,s2s 1 d =4 OQ The aberration characteristic curves of the present i= d =01) embodimentare shown in FlGS fia to 5 i i r v v hich fA=m3 FIGS. 50 to Sc show the spherical aberrations at d =l.9 f=76.5mm, 108,18mm and 153mm, respectively, FIGS. MAM] i=s.s. 4d to 4f the astigmatisms at f=76.5mm, I08. 18mm and l 53mm, respectively, and FIGS. 5g to 5i the distortions at F76.5mm, 108.18mm and 153mm, respectively.

EXAMPLE 4 A varifocal lens system ofthe present example is constructed as shown in HQ 2.

The present embodiment is defined by the values as mentioned in the following Table, in which the values of the fourth group of lenses L only are different from those of the example 3.

The aberration characteristic curves of the present embodiment are shown in FlGS. 6a to 6i in which FIGS. 6a to 6c show the spherical aberrations at F76.5mm, 108.18mm and 153mm, respectively, FIGS. 6d to 6fthe astigmatisms atF76.5m'm, 108.1 8mm and 153mm, respectively, and FIGS. 6g to 61' show the distortions atf-76.5mm, 108.18mm and 153mm, respectively.

What is claimed is:

1. In a varifocal lens system comprising a varifocal optical system and a prime optical system, said varifocal optical system consisting of a first group of lenses havinga positive refractive power, second group of lenses having a negative refractive power and third group of lenses having a positive refractive power, said :prime optical system consisting of a fourth group of lenses having a positive refractive power, and the change in position of the final image produced by the 'maveiam in a direction of the optical axis of said sec- 0nd group of lenses being adapted to be corrected by the reciprocal movement of said third group of lenses, the improvement wherein the said second group of lensesisconstructe d as; componentsarid 4 lenses and consists of a first biconcave negative lens, second biconvex positive lens, third negative lens and fourth negative lens and in which said first and second lenses are combined together to form a composite lens having a positive refractive power and said third lens has its image side a deep concave surface and said fourth lens has its object side a deep concave surface, said third and fourth lenses being arranged such that their deep concave surfaces stand opposite each other with an air space therebetween, and said second group of lenses being defined bythe following six conditions; i.e.

O 5 i 133) n4)i /ifBi) |fBi l asi ifBi l=76.5 mm.153mm., F/4

XA1=78.829 (1A1=4.09 [lA1=1.51633 v =64.l rAg=441.s79 dAz=0.l9 =100.023 l 3=74.639 d a=L9 n z=L74W7 IIM=Z7.7U l',u=44.11 d54=5.8 D53=L51821 v =65.U4 r =1,742.45 dA5=2.0se-2e.433 rm=-175.362 dui=l.7 nm=1.618 vm=63.38 ruz=133.175 dBz=2.96 nm=1.7847 vm=26.22 rm=80.74 dl33=0.38 f5= 34.432 ra= 214.635 dm=1.43 IIBJ=L5725 v53=57.65

ias=39 98 dl35=5.26 Bo=-35.068 dm=l.48 nm=l.618 vB4=63.38 rB1=626.B8 da1=25.371-1.O24 Tc1=84.07 dew-1.13 {nci=1.74077 {vcl=27.79 fC=88.145 rcz=36zl9l dcz=3.95 ncz=L6223 vcz=53.2

r== 105.44 dC3=6-7076-707 rm=24.56 dm=4.78 IlD1=L51B33 vm=64.l5 rpz= w dm=or38 I'm=24.422 dm=6.12 nm=1.51009 vm=63.63 rm=61.605 dn|=2 nm=1.744 vpa=44.78 fz=95.347 rm=17.088 dm=2837 l'm=57.836 dpu==7 n =L60342 vm=38.01 ID7=-31.791 dn1=l.43 fm= -30.887 dm=1A3 np =1.66998 vp5=39.32 trm=455.3l

2. In a varifocal lens system comprising -a varifocal 0.5|f (r Ir i/2) 2,0|f optical system and a prime optical system, said varifo- (4) cal optical system consisting of a first group of lenses having a positive refractive power, second group of 0.08 nag n3 lenses having a negative refractive power and third (5) group of lenses having a positive refractive power, said prime optical system consisting of a fourth group of 20 1 -11 lenses having a positive refractive power, and the change in position of the final image produced by the movement in a direction of the optical axis of said second group of lenses being adapted to be corrected by I the reciprocal movement of said third group of lenses, the improvement wherein the said second group of lenses is constructed as 3 components and 4 lenses and consists of a first biconcave negative lens, second biis defined bythe following values, i.e.

f=80 mm.-160 mm., F/4 m I positive refractive power and said third lens has its image side a deep concave surface and said fourth lens has its object side a deep concave surface, said third and fourth lenses being arranged such that their deep concave surfaces stand opposite each other with an air space therebetween, and said second group of lenses being defined by the following six conditions; i.e.

3. In a varifocal lens system comprising a varifocal optical system and a prime optical system, said varifocal optical system consisting of a first group of lenses having a positive refractive power, second group of lenses having a negative refractive power and third group of lenses having a positive refractive power, said prime optical system'consisting of a fourth group of lenses having a positive refractive power, and the change in position of the final image produced by the movement in a direction of the optical axis of said second groupof lenses being-adapted to be corrected by the reciprocal movement of said third group of lenses, the improvement wherein the said second group of lenses is constructed as 3 components and 4 lenses and consists of a first biconcave negative lens, second biconvex positive lens, third negative lens and fourth negative lens and in which said first and second lenses are combined together to form a composite lens having a positive refractive power and said third lens has its image side a deep concave surface and said fourth lens has its object side a deep concave surface, said third and fourth lenses being arranged such that their deep concave surfaces stand opposite each other with an air space therebetween, and said second group of lenses being defined by the following six conditions; i.e.

faces of the successive lenses from the front surface of the first lens and inclusive of the surface in contact between the first and second lenses, n (i=1, 2, are

axial center thicknesses of or air spaces between the successive lenses, v (i=1, 2, are Abbes numbers of the successive lenses, and f, is a composite focal length of the second group of lenses, and wherein the system is defined by the following values, i.e.

4. In a varifocal lens system comprising a varifocal optical system and a prime optical system, said varifocal optical system consisting of a first group of lenses having a positive refractive power, second group of lenses having a negative refractive power and third group of lenses having a positive refractive power, said prime optical system consisting of a fourth group of lenses having a positive refractive power, and the change in position of the final image produced by the movement in a direction of the optical axis of said second group of lenses being adapted to-be corrected by the reciprocal movement of said third group of lenses, the improvement wherein the said second group of lenses is constructed as 3 components and 4 lenses and consists of a first biconcave negative lens, second bi-' convex positive lens, third negative lens and fourth negative lens and in which said first and second lenses are combined together to form a composite lens having a positive refractive power and said third lens has its image side a deep concave surface and said fourth lens has its object side a deep concave surface, said third 7 and fourth lenses being arranged such that their deep concave surfaces stand opposite each other with an air space therebetween, and, said second group of lenses being defined by the following six conditions; i.e.

2 0 hims) 54) l (0.4/|

I 5 mm lfnl 55+ Veal/ 2.0 r

' WhFeT- (i 'l ,2, Q.) are"matteraivaiuraome's'irfaces of the successive lenses from the front surface of the first lens and inclusive of the surface in contact between the first and second lenses, n, (i=1, 2, are

axial center thicknesses of or air spaces between the successive lenses, .v (i=1, 2, are Abbe's numbers 

1. In a varifocal lens system comprising a varifocal optical system and a prime optical system, said varifocal optical system consisting of a first group of lenses having a positive refractive power, second group of lenses having a negative refractive power and third group of lenses having a positive refractive power, said prime optical system consisting of a fourth group of lenses having a positive refractive power, and the change in position of the final image produced by the movement in a direction of the optical axis of said second group of lenses being adapted to be corrected by the reciprocal movement of said third group of lenses, the improvement wherein the said second group of lenses is constructed as 3 components and 4 lenses and consists of a first biconcave negative lens, second biconvex positive lens, third negative lens and fourth negative lens and in which said first and second lenses are combined together to form a composite lens having a positive refractive power and said third lens has its image side a deep concave surface and said fourth lens has its object side a deep concave surface, said third and fourth lenses being arranged such that their deep concave surfaces stand opposite each other with an air space therebetween, and said second group of lenses being defined by the following six conditions; i.e. rB1 < 0 ... (1) 2.0 fB < rB1 < infinity ... (2) 0 < OR = (1/rB3) (1/rB4) < (0.4/ fB ) ...(3) 0.5 fB < (rB5 + rB6 /2) < 2.0 fB ... (4) 0.08 < nB2-nB1 ... (5) 20 < Nu B1- Nu B2 ...(6) where rBi (i 1, 2, ...) are radii of curvatures of the surfaces of the successive lenses from the front surface of the first lens and inclusive of the surface in contact between the first and second lenses, nBi (i 1, 2, ...) are axial center thicknesses of or air spaces between the successive lenses, Nu Bi (i 1, 2, ...) are Abbe''s numbers of the successive lenses, and fB is a composite focal length of the second group of lenses, and wherein the system is defined by the following values, i.e.
 2. In a varifocal lens system comprising a varifocal optical system and a prime optical system, said varifocal optical system consisting of a first group of lenses having a positive refractive power, second group of lenses having a negative refractive power and third group of lenses having a positive refractive power, said prime optical system consisting of a fourth group of lenses having a positive refractive power, and the change in position of the final image produced by the movement in a direction of the optical axis of said second group of lenses being adapted to be corrected by the reciprocal movement of said third group of lenses, the improvement wherein the said second group of lenses is constructed as 3 components and 4 lenses and consists of a first biconcave negative lens, second biconvex positive lens, third negative lens and fourth negative lens and in which said first and second lenses are combined together to form a composite lens having a positive refractive power and said third lens has its image side a deep concave surface and said fourth lens has its object side a deep concave surface, said third and fourth lenses being arranged such that their deep concave surfaces stand opposite each other with an air space therebetween, and said second group of lenses being defined by the following six conditions; i.e. rB1 < 0 ... (1) 2.0 fB < rB1 < Infinity ... (2) 0 < or = (1/rB3) -(1/rB4) < (0.4/ fB ) ... (3) 0.5 fB < (rB5 + rB6 /2) < 2.0 fB ... (4) 0.08 < nB2-nB1 ... (5) 20 < Nu B1- Nu B2 ... (6) where rBi (i 1, 2, ...) are radii of curvatures of the surfaces of the successive lenses from the front surface of the first lens and inclusive of the surface in contact between the first and second lenses, nBi (i 1, 2, ...) are axial center thickness of or air spaces between the successive lenses, Nu Bi (i 1, 2, ...) are Abbe''s numbers of the successive lenses, and fB is a composite focal length of the second group of lenses, and wherein the system is defined by the following values, i.e.
 3. In a varifocal lens system comprising a varifocal optical system and a prime optical system, said varifocal optical system consisting of a first group of lenses having a positive refractive power, second group of lenses having a negative refractive power and third group of lenses having a positive refractive power, said prime optical system consisting of a fourth group of lenses having a positive refractive power, and the change in position of the final image produced by the movement in a direction of the optical axis of said second group of lenses being adapted to be corrected by the reciprocal movement of said third group of lenses, the improvement wherein the said second group of lenses is constructed as 3 components and 4 lenses and consists of a first biconcave negative lens, second biconvex positive lens, third negative lens and fourth negative lens and in which said first and second lenses are combined together to form a composite lens having a positive refractive power and said third lens has its image side a deep concave surface and said fourth lens has its object side a deep concave surface, said third and fourth lenses being arranged such that their deep concave surfaces stand opposite each other with an air space therebetween, and said second group of lenses being defined by the following six conditions; i.e. rB1 < 0 ... (1) 2.0 fB < rB1 < Infinity ... (2) 0 < or = (1/rB3) -(1/rB4) < (0.4/ fB ) ... (3) 0.5 fB < (rB5 + rB6 /2) < 2.0 fB ... (4) 0.08 < nB2-nB1 ... (5) 20 < Nu B1- Nu B2... (6) where rBi (i 1, 2, ...) are radii of curvatures of the surfaces of the successive lenses from the front surface of the first lens and inclusive of the surface in contact between the first and second lenses, nBi (i 1, 2, ...) are axial center thicknesses of or air spaces between the successive lenses, Nu Bi (i 1, 2, ...) are Abbe''s numbers of the successive lenses, and fB is a composite focal length of the second group of lenses, and wherein the system is defined by the following values, i.e. f 76.5mm-153mm, F/4 rA1 78.828 dA1 4.09 rA2 441.679 dA2 0.19 fA 100.023 rA3 74.639 dA3 1.9 rA4 44.11 dA4 5.8 rA5 1,742.45 2.086-26.433 rB1 -175.362 dB1 1.7 rB2 133.175 dB2 2.96 rB3 -80.74 dB3 0.38 fB -34.432 rB4 -214.635 dB4 1.43 rB5 39.98 dB5 5.26 rB6 -35.068 dB6b 1.43 rB7 626.88 25.371-1.024 rC1 84.07 dC1 1.13 fC 88.145 rC2 36.191 dC2 3.95 rC3 -105.44 6.707-6.707 rD1 24.398 LDf dD1 4.74 rD2 Infinity dD2 0.29 rD3 23.802 dD3 6.13 rD4 -58.134 LDm dD4 0.21 fD 95.3 rD5 -56.853 dD5 2.1 rD6 16.931 dD6 28.38 rD7 57.497 dD7 7.0 rD8 -30.905 LDB dD8 1.48 rD9 -29.94 dD9 1.43 rD10 637.361 nA1 1.51633 Nu A1 64.15 LA nA2 1.74077 Nu A2 27.79 nA3 1.51821 Nu A3 65.04 nB1 1.618 Nu B1 63.38 nB2 1.7847 Nu B2 26.22 LBnB3 1.5725 Nu B3 57.65 nB4 1.618 Nu B4 63.38 nC1 1.74077 Nu C1 27.79 LCnC2 1.6223 Nu C2 53.2 nD1 1.51009 Nu D1 63.63 nD2 1.50048 Nu D2 65.99 LD nD3 1.744 Nu D3 44.78 nD4 1.60342 Nu D4 38.01 nD5 1.66998 Nu D5 39.32
 4. In a varifocal lens system comprising a varifocal optical system and a prime optical system, said varifocal optical system consisting of a first group of lenses having a positive refractive power, second group of lenses having a negative refractive power and third group of lenses having a positive refractive power, said prIme optical system consisting of a fourth group of lenses having a positive refractive power, and the change in position of the final image produced by the movement in a direction of the optical axis of said second group of lenses being adapted to be corrected by the reciprocal movement of said third group of lenses, the improvement wherein the said second group of lenses is constructed as 3 components and 4 lenses and consists of a first biconcave negative lens, second biconvex positive lens, third negative lens and fourth negative lens and in which said first and second lenses are combined together to form a composite lens having a positive refractive power and said third lens has its image side a deep concave surface and said fourth lens has its object side a deep concave surface, said third and fourth lenses being arranged such that their deep concave surfaces stand opposite each other with an air space therebetween, and said second group of lenses being defined by the following six conditions; i.e. rB1 < 0 ... (1) 2.0 fB < rB1 < Infinity ... (2) 0 < or = (1/rB3) - (1/rB4) < (0.4/ fB ) ...(3) 0.5 fB < (rB5 + rB6 /2) < 2.0 rB ...(4) 0.08 < nB2-nB1 ...(5) 20 < Nu B1- Nu B2 ...(6) where rBi (i 1, 2, ...) are radii of curvatures of the surfaces of the successive lenses from the front surface of the first lens and inclusive of the surface in contact between the first and second lenses, nBi (i 1, 2, ...) are axial center thicknesses of or air spaces between the successive lenses, Nu Bi (i 1, 2, ...) are Abbe''s numbers of the successive lenses, and fB is a composite focal length of the second group of lenses, and wherein the system is defined by the following values, i.e. 0 < or = r 76.5mm-153mm, F/4 rA1 78.828 dA1 4.09 ... (rA2 441.679 dA2 0.19 fA 100.023 rB6 / dA3 1.9 fr... ( 44.11 dA4 5.8 rA5... (1,742.45 2.086-26.433 rB1 -175.362 ... (dB1 1.7 rB2 133.175 dB2 2.96 rB3 -80.74 dB3 0.38 fB -34.432 rB4 -214.635 dB4 1.43 rB5 39.98 dB5 5.26 rB6 -35.068 dB6 1.43 rB7 626.88 25.371-1.024 rC1 84.07 dC1 1.13 fC 88.145 rC2 36.191 dC2 3.95 rC3 -105.44 6.707-6.707 rD1 25.913 dD1 3.3 rD2 108.255 dD2 0.15 LDf rD3 46.923 dD3 2.5 rD4 98.549 dD4 0.2 rD5 24.83 dD5 5.74 fD 95.369LDM rD6 -115.109 dD6 2.0 rD7 16.95 dD7 26.0 rD8 51.876 dD8 7.0 rD9 -28.103 LDB dD9 1.44 rD10 -26.962 dD10 1.43 rD11 248.554 nA1 1.51633 Nu A1 64.15 LA nA2 1.74077 Nu A2 27.79 nA3 1.51821 Nu A3 65.04 nB1 1.618 Nu B1 63.38 nB2 1.7847 Nu B2 26.22 LBnB3 1.5725 Nu B3 57.65 nB4 1.618 Nu B4 63.38 nC1 1.74077 Nu C1 27.79 LCnC2 1.6223 Nu C2 53.2 nD1 1.50378 Nu D1 66.81 nD2 1.50048 Nu D2 65.99 nD3 1.50378 Nu D3 66.81 LDnD4 1.744 Nu D4 44.78 nD5 1.60717 Nu D5 40.34 nD6 1.66755 Nu D6 41.93 